Might be the end of the Z4 for me...

[Breaker]

Well it is a BMW forum so I guess peoples opinions may be a bit BMW biased!

It's not bashing, it's called "debate". :wink:

When someone calls the car they have bought a "hairdressers car" and a car "with a weak engine" your bound to get people defend the car back, especially if the car in conversation happens to be what the forum is about. Everyone has an opinion and everyone has a right to reply.

Chill man!

 

[fflores]

Took it to the track 2 weeks later and ran 11's @ 132mph which is more of a mid to low 10 second pass.

I wouldn't call "track" a 1/4 mile long straight strip of asphalt. Tell your buddy to time a ride up Molholland Hwy.

If this if what you're looking for in a car not only the Z4 but every BMW is the wrong car for you.

Sure it is... I'm not one to disqualify a event/style of racing just because i don't understand it.... Drag racing isn't as simple as one might think or as easy to do, even in a Automatic transmissioned car.

Hell, just buy a funny car if all you want to do is drag...

At what point did i say i wanted to drag race? and at what point did i say thats ALL i want to do?? and further more, at what point did i say that i wanted to race period???

After having it for a while, i would rather have back my SRT6 Crossfire, which is a 2 seater, than the Z4... Compared between the 2... The SRT6 is more powerful (330hp vs 235hp), the SRT6 handles as well as the Z4, the styling is almost even, but thats completely subjective. With the SRT6 actually having mods available.

I'm still debating on what to get, between the Cobra or a M3... I even looked at a couple Lexus IS cars, but those are more of looking out of curiosity

R u f-ing kidding me??? From 0-60 in 7.2s, horrible handling, ugly, the gearbox is a pos. ...etc

Reading Comprehension > you.... Possibly...

I know that you embedded a youtube file, but its not coming up for me, i think its because its blocked by the firewall here at work... For now, i'm going to assume that your refering to a "Crossfire"? Its the only one that i think you might refer to as "ugly" and a "pos gearbox"... If so, then Reading Comprehension is > you.... I started that i previously owned a SRT6 Crossfire... which is basically a SLK32 AMG engine/trans/suspension/interior in a Crossfire body. I put down 290hp to the wheel on a Dyno jet 2 weeks after i bought the car. It was 100% bone stock, 2 weeks after the dyno, i put down a 13.0 @ 108mph in the 1/4 mile. I autox'd the car a couple of times and ran on a road course while at the SRT Nationals in Memphis TN. For little money, you can mod a SRT6 (intake & pulley) and get it into the mid 12's.

 

[ovrkll]

Play nice guys :wink:

Everyone has their idea of fun,,,,,mine spent quite a bit of time at the Atlanta Motor Speedway dragstrip last year, and I would actually love to have a car that could go fast in a straight line (as an alternate vehicle). But, overall I enjoy cruising with the top down, and the ability to move quickly when the mood strikes. To each their own,,,,without all the bashing please

 

[Aebous]

On ramp, 3.0Si, conservatively 65 in 4th gear........

And when he says conservative, he means list below 3 grand rpm, which is not near the power band no sir. Hell 65 is just where my 3rd gear is warming up for aweome on ramp fun/power.....which I do need quite a bit here in Vegas.

 

[DHK]

And when he says conservative, he means list below 3 grand rpm, which is not near the power band no sir. Hell 65 is just where my 3rd gear is warming up for aweome on ramp fun/power.....

+1

 

[tsuiesque]

Guess I spoiled myself when I took an E39 out for a spin. Under 300 ponies just doesnt cut it when you have family sedans outpowering you on the freeway. If they fitted the N54 (TT) engine in the Z4, then thats business. Otherwise even the 3.0si under performs (speed/accel wise). Of course I dont know what I should be expecting as the Z4 is not a GT car, its a roadster first (then offered with a permanent hardtop), made for cruisin second. Its fit competition for an Audi TT (another car that doesnt really do anything amazing other than look nice). Yeah, I said it.

If were talking driving dynamics, an MX-5 or S2000 should be mentioned as they are both machines with serious track credentials. The point Im trying to make is that the Z4 isnt the greatest performance car in any respect, but is probably the best looking one. Not only that, but it lacks the aftermarket support to MAKE it a greater performance car. While a lot of people are criticizing the turning ability of a Mustang, Ill say it again that many will never bring their car to those limits.

Only the Z4M competes with the 350Z, G37S, RX-8, M3, 135i, 335i, and the like. (SRT6 Crossfire is in a league of its own)

I suppose Breaker is right, theres a reason a Z4 2.0 and BMW 4 bangers are sold in Europe and not in the US of A. Yes, I would like fries with my Big Mac.

 

[rabman5]

I've said it before and i'll say it again.... 95% of people here have not and won't take their cars to a track to even know the cornering capabilites of a car.... So a arguement like "in the twisties" just simply doesn't apply since they will never be put to the test... in the real world, the differences are negliable....

On the same note, how often would you use 400 hp? It's nice to know it's there. Same with the twisties. Most days I utilize my car's cornering abilities, even if it's only momentary.

 

[fflores]

I've said it before and i'll say it again.... 95% of people here have not and won't take their cars to a track to even know the cornering capabilites of a car.... So a arguement like "in the twisties" just simply doesn't apply since they will never be put to the test... in the real world, the differences are negliable....

On the same note, how often would you use 400 hp? It's nice to know it's there. Same with the twisties. Most days I utilize my car's cornering abilities, even if it's only momentary.

Though true... I have to wait til the twistie's come to me... I can decided when i want to unlease HP with just the stab of the right foot.

 

[fflores]

PS.... my oil light came on today after i turned off the car :?

 

[Breaker]

Only the Z4M competes with the 350Z, G37S, RX-8, M3, 135i, 335i, and the like. (SRT6 Crossfire is in a league of its own)

The 3.0si is a match for the 350z. :wink:

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[Aebous]

PS.... my oil light came on today after i turned off the car :?

Oils low...needs a top off

 

[DavidZ4]

Im sorry I dont want to aggrevate this thread or offend people in anyway but I dont accept that all Z4's bar the "M" are underpowered and that the 2.0i is a hairdressers car. Many iconic sports cars have had less power, a lot of the thrill and mystique of these cars is the all round driving pleasure the car affords, pure raw power is nice but it is only part of the package.

Clarkson wrote in a recent article that the majority of American sports cars "had the engine from an F-15 teamed with the suspension of a Korean oxcart" he also previously said that with the crossfire "chrysler had taken a perfectly nice mercedes uglified it and filled it with cheap plastic".

While I feel these are typical Clarkson overstatements I do feel it shows that everyone has different taste and different needs.

Also some people were complaining about the lack of mods for the Z4, this is one of the reasons I bought my car. Anyone can buy an e46 or a civic open a magazine and order a bucketload of parts. I want a car that I put some effort into making my own and enhancing the styling, I like having to do research, finding unusal parts, even having bespoke ones made, the thrill when you get just what you are looking for is great!!

Personally I bought my Z because it looks great, handles like a sports car and has good performance, combined with good economy.

I like it, and I dont need to be told that its either a hairdresser's car or because its not an "M" its somehow less of a car, its not, its just different. Sorry if I annoyed anyone, that wasnt my intention. :wink:

However, sometimes there is an unhealthy trend within posts here that unless the car is a "genuine" M then somehow it is less of a Z4, sorry, this is THE Z4 forum, not the Z4M forum. I am a member of many BMW forums where members have everything from a e46 316i auto to a e46 M3 CSL and while there is the odd friendly jibe I have never seen such a "top trumps" attitude. Please can we discuss the good things about the car. If I want raw power I have a 911 turbo, but as an economical everyday roadster in the UK (where petrol is $12 a gallon approx) I love my Z4, and I dont appreciate feeling looked down upon by "M" owners. Again, apologies if that is out of order.

 

[rabman5]

That's why you stuck an ///M on your car. :lol:

 

[DavidZ4]

That's why you stuck an ///M on your car. :lol:

The "M" badges were already there when I purchased it, I presume as the car has the "M-Sport" pack (seats/suspension/steering wheel with M badge on it) I did change the roundels to the red (to match the interior) but your comment does prove my point, so thanks, couldnt have proved it better myself! :wink:

 

[GP20]

That's why you stuck an ///M on your car. :lol:

The "M" badges were already there when I purchased it, I presume as the car has the "M-Sport" pack (seats/suspension/steering wheel with M badge on it) I did change the roundels to the red (to match the interior) but your comment does prove my point, so thanks, couldnt have proved it better myself! :wink:

Doesn't matter if it has M-sport pack or not. You can retrofit the entire M bodykit, fake quad exhausts, wheels and supercharge it to have more than 330HP, and it's still not deserving the ///M badges.

 

[DavidZ4]

That's why you stuck an ///M on your car. :lol:

The "M" badges were already there when I purchased it, I presume as the car has the "M-Sport" pack (seats/suspension/steering wheel with M badge on it) I did change the roundels to the red (to match the interior) but your comment does prove my point, so thanks, couldnt have proved it better myself! :wink:

Doesn't matter if it has M-sport pack or not. You can retrofit the entire M bodykit, fake quad exhausts, wheels and supercharge it to have more than 330HP, and it's still not deserving the ///M badges.

You see, this is the point...............this is a forum for discussing the Z4, not the Z4M. My Z4 has ///M badges fitted instead of the 2.0i. Personally I would have removed them all, except I felt the monochrome ///M badges were "TO ME" asthetically pleasing and given the black/red colour scheme of my car fitted nicely when I changed the roundels to red. I did consider removing the ///M badges, but I liked them, and as my car had the "M-sport pack" (see below)

"August 9th 2005 - September sees the introduction of M Sport models to the majority of the BMW range. Previously Sport models stood as the pinnacle of each model range, excluding the high performance M3 and M5 variants, offering a bespoke sporting suspension package with individual interior attributes.

Now, while the Sport variant is still sold on some models, M Sport enters the fray offering numerous sporting features created by BMW M GmbH in Garching, Germany. All M Sport variants in the BMW range come as standard with M Aerodynamic body styling, M Sports suspension, high-gloss shadow line, M Sports steering wheel, Sports seats, M gear knob, M Sports door sill kick plates, M interior trim and anthracite headlining."

So, as my model is designed by M GmbH, and is authorised by them, I am allowed to have their badging. The previous owner fitted the badges, I like them, and I deserve them.

Im sorry, but it appears to me that the only people who have an issue with non-M Z4's have 3 characteristics, one, they have an M, two they are middle-aged, and three, they either wear baggy shorts, have funny dogs, wear a bandana or all 3.

To summarise, while power is nice, and useful it is not the be all and end all. I would have thought 2 things would have taught you this, firstly the corvette and secondly the vietnam war. When you learn to appreciate the idea of subtlety beyond Benny Hill and Monty Python and bring it into the realms of automotive engineering I will agree to disagree, until then the fact that you continue to produce the Mustang/Challenger means I will disregard all of your comments.

Provide me with one instance...ONE of the US moving automobile technology forward. If not leave the decisons to the people who know what they are talking about...........................END

 

[GP20]

Ummm....okay. If you want to continue to be a poser, your choice.

Bottom line is you'll get ridiculed anywhere you go because of how you mis-represent your car to be something it's not. I'm sure you'll get used to that.

So, as my model is designed by M GmbH, and is authorised by them, I am allowed to have their badging.

Oh yeah. GM makes the Z4's transmisison. You can probably find Chevy badges on Ebay too. BBS makes the Z4's wheels. Can't go wrong with BBS wheel center caps. Why stop at the ///M badges. Go all out or go home.

I would have thought 2 things would have taught you this, firstly the corvette and secondly the vietnam war. When you learn to appreciate the idea of subtlety beyond Benny Hill and Monty Python and bring it into the realms of automotive engineering I will agree to disagree, until then the fact that you continue to produce the Mustang/Challenger means I will disregard all of your comments.

What are you talking about? Why should I give a fukk about vettes and viet war?

 

[rabman5]

You made the comment that a 2.0i is not a hairdresser's car and one need not be ashamed to drive it. I agree fully. I also agree that this forum is for discussing whichever Z4 model you own. I owned a "non M" for years and loved every moment of it. Prior to that I owned a 323i and prior to that a 318i. All non M cars. If i could have afforded an M3 I would have had one, but I did not stick M badges on either car.

You say everyone should feel proud of what they have and in the next line try to justify pretending to have an M Roadster. Pity. Quite a contradiction.

That's my only point. I don't need to get into the Viet Nam war and you should be ashamed of making this an America vs the World issue. There are many people here with non M cars and i can't recall EVER seeing a degrading comment toward any one because of the engine. You had just as many non M owners criticize your choice to paste M badges as M owners.

 

[Wondermike]

Guys I'm going to lock this for the time being and let WLH sort it out, I need to go to bed

 

[sp3ctre]

Just spotted this but it's 1:30am here so I need to sleep too. In the absense of other mods around I'll keep it locked. We'll give it another chance tomorrow.

Something to think about... I can see why DavidZ4 feels a bit attacked here... While I would not put an "M" badge on my car I do have an "M" gear knob, and the fact that his car is misrepresented is cause for a bit of a chuckle but maybe take it easy guys, it's not doing any harm. If it were to be listed in Autotrader with the "M" badge then by all means tear strips, but it's not.

I am sure nobody meant any harm here, but I believe things did go a bit far. I will canvas those concerned and see what the consensus is, and if they want it unlocked I shall do so in the morning.

Goodnight all